A GROUP of primary school pupils narrowly missed being hit by a car as they used a pelican crossing near their school at the end of last term.

A GROUP of primary school pupils narrowly missed being hit by a car as they used a pelican crossing near their school at the end of last term.

The incident has led town and county councillor Chris Bithell to call on drivers using Chester Road, Mold, to reduce their speed near the crossing outside the fire station before someone is killed.

He has become aware of a number of near misses on the crossing and is calling for extra safety measures to be introduced.

He said: 'I am very concerned about what is happening there. I know that over the years, several adults have been knocked down and there have been a number of near misses concerning children attending the nearby St David's Primary School.

'The latest happened only a week or so ago, when a group of children were crossing and a vehicle failed to stop. Fortunately, they managed to jump back out of its way, but next time they might not be so lucky.

'This is happening despite the fact that it is a clearly defined pelican crossing, there is an additional light above the central lane and there is a crossing patrol lady on duty during term time.'

Cllr Bithell was speaking after being contacted by the worried father of one of the children concerned in the latest incident. He added: 'We are trying to instigate safer routes and to encourage children to walk to and from school and this kind of thing doesn't help.

'I have had a site meeting with the police, road safety officers and county highways officials to discuss how safety can be improved and I am appealing to pedestrians and motorists alike to take the registration number of any vehicle they see driving through a red light at this crossing and report it to the police.'

Cllr Bithell said that apart from schoolchildren, the crossing is used by elderly people going to and from Mold town centre.

'There is a high proportion of pensioners who have to cross Chester Road to reach the town and that crossing and the one near the clinic in King Street are their main means of getting there,' he said.

A spokesman for Flintshire County Council said: 'The pedestrian crossing is in perfect working order and highly visible to drivers travelling in both directions.

'However, we are aware of local concerns and are looking into the possibility of introducing additional features to further highlight the crossing site to motorists.'